Upcoming Dynamax Raids in Pokémon GO: Moltres, Zapdos, and Articuno
A leaked tweet from the official Pokémon GO Saudi Arabia Twitter account, since deleted, revealed the imminent arrival of Moltres, Zapdos, and Articuno in Dynamax Raids. The event is reportedly scheduled from January 20th to February 3rd. This would mark the first appearance of legendary Pokémon in Dynamax Raid form within the game.
Dynamax Pokémon were introduced to Pokémon GO in September 2024, but these iconic Kanto birds represent a significant addition to the roster. While the original trio, and their Shiny variants, have been featured in raids previously, and their Galarian counterparts in Daily Incense (albeit with lower spawn rates), this Dynamax iteration promises a fresh challenge.
The leak suggests a potential boost in popularity for Max Raids. Some players have previously expressed reluctance to participate due to perceived difficulty, particularly the requirement of 40 players for successful completion. Whether this issue persists with the Dynamax legendary raids remains to be seen. The increased difficulty, if present, could be a significant factor in player engagement.
The inclusion of these legendary birds in Dynamax form hints at the possibility of more iconic legendary Pokémon receiving the same treatment in future Max Raids. Given the Dynamax forms of Mewtwo, Ho-Oh, and others in Pokémon Sword and Shield, this expansion seems a logical progression for Pokémon GO.
This news follows a flurry of other Pokémon GO announcements for early 2025, including:
- Community Day Classic: Featuring Ralts on January 25th.
- Shadow Raid Day: Showcasing Shadow Ho-Oh on January 19th, with up to seven free Raid Passes available from Gyms.
- Pokémon GO Fest 2025: Confirmed host cities are Osaka, Jersey City, and Paris.
The upcoming Dynamax Raids featuring the Kanto legendary birds promise an exciting addition to the Pokémon GO experience, though the potential challenges associated with Max Raids remain a point of interest.
